Calling all parents-to-be who are in search of some gender-neutral nursery design tips that are sure to stand the test of time! Let’s face it, if there’s one (and probably only one) thing we know for sure in the year 2020, it’s that there’s no need to restrict your design sensibility, or make assumptions on your future child’s personality, just based on the gender listed on the sonogram!
If you don’t know me, I’m Mia Weber–our resident Baby Industry expert here at Kathy Kuo Home! After many years in the family and baby editorial world, as well as working in special events as content director for baby and pregnancy expos, I’m now a part of the KKH team and thrilled to be sharing my knowledge with our readers shopping for baby gear, nursery furniture, and kids’ gifts and toys! Read on for three of my favorite tips for designing a gender-neutral nursery that not only looks adorable, but also feels super-calming and comfortable for mom and dad (because you know you’ll be spending almost as much time in there as your baby does)! –Mia Weber
Click to shop!
Shop the Look
Gender-Neutral Nursery Tip #1: Look to Nature to Inspire a Theme
When it comes to a theme for a nursery, it’s easy to get caught up in traditional gendered themes rife with frilly bows for girls and sporty motifs for boys (and there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s your jam!) but one way to design a gender-neutral nursery that will fit nicely with your adult decor in the rest of the home, as well as grow nicely with baby as they transition to toddlerhood is a theme inspired by the world around you.
And just what does that look like? So simple–just let nature be your guide! Themes inspired by animals, forests, jungles, gardens, the sea, the sky and outer space, and travel imagery (remember travel and how much you used to love it before 2020 put a damper on it!?) are all visually stimulating themes that lend themselves to a variety of color palettes and can be cute and baby-approved as well as sophisticated.
Patterned wall paper, strategically placed stuffed animals (remember, for the sake of sleep safety, never put stuffies in baby’s crib!), wall art, and textured rugs and throw pillows for your glider are all fun, affordable, and (most importantly for expectant parents) easy to find and install ways to achieve a nature-inspired theme.
Click to shop!
Click to shop!
Shop the Look
Gender-Neutral Nursery Tip #2: Think Outside the Pink & Blue Box
Just like nursery themes have a longstanding tradition of being somewhat narrow in scope, so do nursery color schemes, but exclusive adherence to pink and blue for baby’s room is *so* two generations ago! Gender-neutral nursery design is all about mixing up the color situation!
The good news is: You can actually paint or decorate your nursery in any color you want! Have a color scheme throughout your home already? Keep it going and extend it to the nursery! Or, if you’re looking to narrow down the choices, you can never go wrong with a palette of sophisticated neutrals. Consider soft grays, monochrome palettes, and nature-inspired pastels (think pale green, blue, peach, and yellow) paired with other neutral shades.
Click to shop!
Click to shop!
Shop the Look
Gender-Neutral Nursery Tip #3: Invest in Versatile Basics
Once you’ve selected a gender-neutral color scheme and au naturale theme, your final step (and the best, most fun, and most important step, if you ask us!) is to make your product selections. You may have ideas about brands and pieces you’re interested from recommendations from friends and family–and that’s a fantastic way to learn about what’s out there that’s beloved by real parents you trust–but if you’re unsure, we suggest working with an interior designer to help you make the perfect choices.
One rule to go by though is to invest in versatile gender-neutral nursery basics that will easily fit into any decor or color scheme, but will also stand the test of time, ensure high safety standards, and even convert into toddler and big kid pieces as baby grows. For example, a rocker or glider in a shade like navy or cream is going to be easy to transition from a spot to rock and nurse baby to a reading chair for your child at any age; a convertible crib (that turns into a toddler bed) in a light beech wood tone is going to give you a neutral look and also last well into your child’s preschool years; and popping a changer on top of a big-kid dresser is going to be much more versatile than buying a separate changing table.
